SCDOT steps up preparations for Tropical Storm Hermine

COLUMBIA — ​The S.C. Department of Transportation intensified preparations and planning on Thursday as Tropical Storm Hermine approached South Carolina. Rain and high winds are expected in advance of T.S. Hermine’s arrival into the state.

SCDOT maintenance units in counties from the Midlands down to the Pee Dee, Lowcountry and coastal areas will have their forces work 12-hour shifts beginning Friday morning.

Upstate counties will continue to prepare for stormy weather in those areas. Some crews in those counties have also been designated to move to the lower part of the state should additional crews become necessary to handle clean-up.

Maintenance units in the Pee Dee, Lowcountry and coastal areas are inspecting and preparing locations on Thursday that tend to flood during heavy rain. All counties continue to prepare equipment, road signs and vehicles.

Secretary of Transportation Christy A. Hall urges motorists to use caution at all times, particularly in stormy conditions. Since heavy rainfall is predicted as T.S. Hermine passes through the state, significant levels of standing water on roadways can occur.

The public is warned not to attempt to drive through it. Standing water can be life-threatening. Motorists are also urged not to drive around any barricades SCDOT uses to close roads. Roads are closed when damaged or present hazardous situations.

SCDOT’s website will provide information including road closings, and links to the 511 Traveler Service, social media posts and press releases. Here is the link: http://www.scdot.org/getting/HermineResources.aspx

SCDOT’s Customer Service Call Center will open at 6 a.m. Friday morning. Customer Service Agents will be on duty to take calls overnight and into Saturday. The toll free number is: 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368) toll free or 803-737-2314.

SCDOT urges all drivers to use caution for your own safety, the safety of other drivers and for those are working to keep the highways open. Updates will be provided on SCDOT’s Facebook page and Twitter feed: @SCDOTPress.